The bone-juddering crunch of Ellis Genge colliding with an opponent, captured in excruciatingly slow motion, is the kind of visceral moment that Six Nations: Full Contact offers up like a rugby player serving a scrum. Created by Josh Jacobs and produced by the team behind Formula 1: Drive to Survive, this Netflix series attempts to bring the drama and intensity of Europe’s premier rugby tournament into living rooms worldwide. But despite its high-octane moments, the series stumbles in delivering anything truly fresh or compelling.

What it is: A behind-the-scenes look at the 2023 Six Nations Championship, featuring players like Stephen Varney, Marcus Smith, and Gael Fickou as they navigate the pressures of international rugby. The series follows the teams through training sessions, tactical meetings, and high-stakes matches, all while attempting to build narrative tension around their quest for the trophy.

What works: The production values are undeniably strong. Slow-motion replays of tackles, dramatic close-ups of players’ faces during key moments, and cinematic shots of stadiums filled with roaring fans create an immersive experience. The series also benefits from its access to the teams, offering glimpses into their preparation and camaraderie that casual viewers might find engaging.

However, the show’s reliance on familiar tropes and formulaic storytelling quickly becomes apparent. Too often, it falls back on staged conversations and contrived drama, as if trying too hard to mimic the success of Drive to Survive. The lack of nuance in its portrayal of the sport—favoring spectacle over substance—leaves much to be desired. Rugby World’s criticism that the series offers “reality in the loosest sense of the world” rings true, as moments feel overly scripted or exaggerated for dramatic effect.

The performances from the players themselves are serviceable but rarely stand out, likely because they’re not actors but athletes being asked to perform for the camera. The series also struggles with pacing, devoting too much time to filler and not enough to meaningful insights into the game or its strategies.

Ultimately, Six Nations: Full Contact is a missed opportunity. While it delivers some thrilling on-field action, its behind-the-scenes segments feel shallow and unoriginal.